But she shook her head. “I think I’ll go to Georgia.”
* * *
Noah took it with equanimity. “I’m all for your getting away for a few days,” he told her when she announced her intention to take a trip south. “A change of scenery will do you good. But what in heaven’s name is in Georgia? A new spa?”
“An author.”
“You’ll be working? The whole point of taking a few days off is to relax, isn’t it?”
“Remember the prologue I told you about yesterday?”
“The one from the slush pile?”
She ignored the skeptical slant of his grin. “I had difficulty locating the author but finally did.”
“Difficulty?”
“Long story, and we’ve got that meeting in ten minutes. Suffice it to say he’s not your routine writer trying to get published.”
“In what way is he different?”
“Recalcitrant. Rude. And unenlightened. He doesn’t realize how good his writing is. He’s going to need some stroking, possibly some coaching, and a great deal of coaxing. I think a face-to-face meeting will yield more than telephone calls and faxes.”
Noah was listening with only one ear. He was shuffling through a stack of telephone messages that his assistant had discreetly carried in and laid in front of him before slipping out. Then, checking his wristwatch, he stood up and began gathering materials off his desk for the upcoming meeting. “I’m sorry, darling, but a continuation of this conversation will have to wait. This meeting won’t keep. When do you plan to leave?”
“I thought I’d go tomorrow.”
“So soon?”
“I need to know if I should get excited about this book or drop it. The only way to find out is to talk to the author.”
He rounded his desk and gave her a perfunctory kiss on the cheek. “Then let’s go out tonight, just the two of us. I’ll have Cindy make reservations. Where would you like to go?”
“My choice?”
“Your choice.”
“How about having Thai brought in? We’ll eat at home for a change.”
“Excellent. I’ll pick the wine.”
They were almost through his office door when he drew up short. “Damn! I just remembered, I have a meeting tonight.”
She groaned. “With whom?”
He named an agent who represented several notable authors. “Join us. He’d be delighted. Then we can go somewhere alone for a nightcap.”
“I can’t be out all evening, Noah. I have things to do before I can leave town, packing included.”
“I’ve postponed this engagement twice,” he said with regret. “If I ask for another rain check, he’ll think I’m avoiding him.”
“No, you can’t do that. How late will you be?”
He winced. “As you know, this guy likes to talk, so it might be late. Certainly later than I’d like.” Sensing her disappointment, he stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I’m sorry, Maris. Do you want me to cancel?”
“No. He’s an important agent.”
“Had I known you planned to go away, I—”